Psychosocial processes and strategies behind Islamic deradicalisation – A scoping review

Deradicalisation is an under-researched field, in need of scientific scrutiny about the main strategies and outcomes that may lead to effective results. To better understand what deradicalisation measures have been implemented so far and its reported outcomes, on one hand, and what gaps and research needs have arisen on the other, we conducted a scoping review. We propose to map, analyse and critically appraise knowledge produced on Islamist deradicalisation, to understand what the main programs are, strategies, actors involved, and to systematize reported results to inform policy-makers, scientific community and professionals about strategic decisions to approach the phenomenon. This review included all types of published studies produced until December 2018, following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) methodology. Results point to lack of transparency and information from the providers side, tailored interventions to specific needs and monitoring of ex-radicals. There is need for better evaluation indicators and assessment of effectiveness. Moreover, programs are essentially focused on disengagement from violence instead on deradicalisation, which points to the need of better definition of concepts and aims. The main conclusions will be presented in an Evidence Map, to identify gaps and future research needs.